Well RV gang, February has come and gone, Mardi Gras has been put to bed yet again for another year. We had a great time catching beads and moon pies during the beach parade. To give you a little history about Mardi Gras, it is a Christian holiday that is celebrated around the world, mainly with large Roman Catholic populations. From Florida to Louisiana Mardi Gras is a weeklong celebration.

Mardi Gras is celebrated on “Fat Tuesday” the day before Ash Wednesday, most countries celebrate the week prior to Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras dates back thousands of years to Pagan celebrations of spring and fertility.

When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate the Pagan popular traditions into the new faith. The result, debauchery of Mardi Gras season became a prelude to Lent, the forty days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

The first American Mardi Gras celebration was near New Orleans in 1699. For decades to follow there were street parties, masked balls, and lavish dinners. When the Spanish took over Louisiana this celebration was abolished until 1827.

Thanks to a secret society of businessmen in New Orleans during 1857 the Mistick Krewe of Comus was organized. The procession consisted of marching bands and rolling floats which set the tone for Mardi Gras. Krewes are a fixture of the Carnival scene throughout our area. Other customs include throwing beads and trinkets, wearing masks, decorating floats and my favorite eating King Cake!

Mardi Gras will be February 12, 2021 through February 15, 2021. We do have a few RV sites available, so come on out and enjoy the debauchery of Mardi Gras!